The Okanagan Basin Water Board

🌫️ What is that misty magic?! It’s not spooky – it’s lake steam!
When chilly air hits warmer water, vapor rises and condenses into visible steam. 🌬️ + 🌡️ = 🌫️
It’s a common in fall and winter and yet another fascinating way our lakes are impacted by the changing seasons!

💧 An aquifer is an underground layer of rock, sand, or gravel that holds water—kind of like a natural sponge beneath the ground. In the Okanagan, people drill wells into aquifers to bring this groundwater up for drinking, irrigation, and other uses.
#WaterWordWednesday: Get Informed. #Okanagan

YouTube video by Okanagan Basin Water Board OBWB Invests in ‘Artificial Dog’s Nose’: UBCO eDNA Mussel-Detection Tool

Heard of the invasive mussel threat? It’s not just bad—it’s billions-of-dollars-in-damage bad. 🤯

But the Okanagan is fighting back with science! 💪

OBWB's James Littley was on AM1150 to explain a pioneering new project.

Check it out ➡️ youtu.be/SGiY-3VBV_g

Read more at www.obwb.ca/news

Black streaks in the water? It could be charcoal. ⚫🌊
Charcoal from wildfires or erosion can show up as powder or chunks. It’s natural, odourless, and leaves black smudges when touched.
Being curious is being #WaterWise! 💧🌍

🚨 What’s the latest on water in the Okanagan?

ℹ️Learn how we’re advocating for stronger protections, seeking funding partners, and planning for long-term resilience.

📘 Read the full report: conta.cc/48piOCF
📩Subscribe for OBWB updates: shorturl.at/gjISU

🚨 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟒.🚨

That crisp fall air isn't fooling anyone. The Okanagan is now at an Drought Level 4, rare for this time of year.

💧Every drop saved matters.

📃Read the latest Drought Bulletin: conta.cc/3VTJT9L
📩Subscribe for OBWB updates: shorturl.at/gjISU

👀 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖?! You can watch the action remotely!
ONA's Riverwatcher cam has captured several fish species, a muskrat, and even a river otter.

Click to watch the fish!: www.riverwatcherdaily.is?I=197

This achievement is not just a significant ecological win; it is a monumental step in fulfilling the ONA's mission of kł cp̓əlk̓ stim̓—to return salmon to their natural habitats.

We were honored to witness the success of years of ONA dedication, observing sc’win (sockeye) salmon actively passing through the new passage.

🙏limləmt | Thank You to @ONA Fluvial Geomorphologist Zoe Eyjolfson for providing OBWB Directors and staff with an excellent tour of the 𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐦 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 this week.

🌊 The Okanagan Basin Water Board is investing $200,000 to partially fund a potentially groundbreaking UBCO-led project.

📖Learn more here: conta.cc/4h8uITW
Subscribe for OBWB updates: shorturl.at/gjISU

⚠️ Dead trees = danger.
Dry, neglected trees can fall, fuel fires, and threaten your home.

🌳 Keep trees healthy with deep watering especially in dry spells.
💧 Healthy trees are #WaterWise 👉 cool your yard, save water and resist disease.

Be #FireSmart. Protect your home by protecting your trees. 💚

🚨Don't be fooled by the fall weather—the Okanagan is still in drought!

🐟With the Okanagan's drought level still at Level 3, our water is vital for farmers, firefighters, and fish migration.

📖Read the latest Drought Bulletin: conta.cc/3Iuzy0V
📩Subscribe for OBWB updates: shorturl.at/gjISU

Fall tip: Leave the leaves! 🍂 They're great for the ecosystem, providing winter habitat & enriching soil. Plus, they help retain moisture for spring! 💧A #WaterWise win! Take the #MakeWaterWork Pledge & enter to WIN a $500 yard upgrade! 🎉 MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge

#GardenTips

Today, September 30, marks National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada — a day to honour the children who never returned home, the survivors of residential schools, and the families and communities affected by these institutions.

#TruthAndReconciliation #EveryChildMatters

Adding mulch your garden every year is a win-win! 🌱 It insulates roots, retains moisture 💧, and enriches soil.

A simple by powerful #WaterWise step! Take the Pledge to #MakeWaterWork & enter to WIN! 🎉 MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge

#OkanaganBasinWaterBoard

Happy #BCRiversDay! 🎉Our rivers are the vital arteries of our water system. They act as highways for fish, replenish groundwater, and provide us with places to fish, float, and relax. What's your favourite Okanagan river?🌊

#OkanaganRiver #SimilkameenRiver #MissionCreek #ShingleCreek #OkanaganValley

"Making #WaterWork smarter so we can grow fresh fruit for another 100 years!" 🍎🥕 Jennay, 4th-gen farmer at Paynter's Fruit Market. Her family's #WaterWise legacy helps secure our food future! Take the #MakeWaterWork Pledge & you could win! Enter at MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge.
#WestKelowna

Take the Pledge to embrace #xeriscape 💚 choose beautiful plants that thrive in the dry Okanagan.🌸

Find recommended #WaterWise plants on our website!

Take the Pledge to Make Water Work 👉 commit to WaterWise gardening & enter for a chance to WIN! ✨ MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge

The Okanagan Nation Alliance is bringing salmon home! 🐟 But the fish need our help—and cold, clean water to survive. Our yards are big water users. Take the #MakeWaterWork Pledge to help protect our rivers and bring the salmon home! MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge

#MakeWaterWork

Fragile Okanagan food systems are at risk! 🐟 Invasive mussels threaten beloved salmon & native species, disrupting our delicate aquatic balance. Protect our vital resources! Learn how: DontMoveAMussel.ca.
SHARE MEMORIES, NOT INVASIVE MUSSELS. 💙🏞️

Want a garden that thrives in the Okanagan? ☀️ Take the Pledge to choose drought-tolerant, native & low-water plants.

🔥These plants look gorgeous and save water.

Explore our Make Water Work Plant Collection👉MakeWaterWork.ca/plants

Take the Pledge 👉 MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge

From Sept–May, salmon eggs & fry grow in Okanagan creeks—one step can crush hundreds of eggs & fry. Keep dogs, kids & feet out to protect them. 🚫🥾
Help protect Okanagan salmon and support Okanagan Nation Alliance’s salmon rehab efforts by giving fish space to thrive. 🐟 #MakeWaterWork #OkanaganSalmon

Invasive mussels fundamentally change lakes! 🤯 They clear water, making it warmer & deeper. This habitat shift harms native plants & fish. Protect our Okanagan! Learn more: DontMoveAMussel.ca.
SHARE MEMORIES, NOT INVASIVE MUSSELS. ☀️🌊
#DontMoveAMussel #InvasiveSpecies #Okanagan

🍂 Fall planting tip: FireSmart = WaterWise! 🔥💧 Protect your home from wildfire by choosing fire-resistant, water-saving plants. A smart landscape reduces risk & conserves water.

Take the Pledge to Make Water Work & enter to WIN a $500 yard upgrade! 🎉 MakeWaterWork.ca/pledge

Take the Pledge to aerate & compost your lawn! This Pledge helps water soak in and keeps waterways clean! 💚 Do it spring/fall for a healthier, #WaterWise yard.

Take the pledge for a chance to WIN a $500 yard upgrade! 🎉 MakeWaterWork.ca/pledge

#OkanaganSummer #MakeWaterWork

🌡️ Okanagan drought level now at Level 3—creek flows are dangerously low.
🐟 Fish protection orders issued for Salmon River & Bessette Creek.
🚿 Follow local watering restrictions to help protect farms, fish & firefighters.
📄 Bulletin: conta.cc/4giNqYB
📬 shorturl.at/gjISU
#OkanaganDrought #Okanagan

🚤 Before you hit the road or the water, thoroughly check and clean THESE 13 SPOTS on your boat and trailer for invasive species.

Protect the Okanagan, 🛑 don't move a mussel. Find detailed info at DontMoveAMussel.ca/Prevention

#CleanDrainDry #DontMoveAMussel #InvasiveSpecies

Important updates from the September Water Board Meeting & Annual Public Meeting:
📏 Drought ratings questioned
🧬 Mussel detection tool proposed
🔍 Milfoil ID guide launched
⚙️ New harvester arrives
🏆 Osoyoos named Community Champion
💧 Celebrating leadership & stewardship
🔗 Full recap: conta.cc/4nsOGL8

Clean responsibly, save water! 💧 Avoid pressure washing during droughts. Use buckets for car washing & water efficient nozzles. Every drop counts! Take the Pledge to #MakeWaterWork & enter to WIN a $500 #WaterWise yard upgrade! 🎉 MakeWaterWork.ca/Pledge

#OkanaganBasinWaterBoard